Modern Smart TV LG TVs have become powerful multimedia centers, but smartphone screens remain the primary source of content for many users. It's natural to want to instantly stream a video or movie from your gallery to the big screen wirelessly. This not only makes viewing more convenient, but also allows you to share photos and videos with friends in better quality.
Fortunately, technology wireless data transmission Wi-Fi has long ceased to be an exclusive feature. Built-in Wi-Fi modules in phones and TVs allow you to establish a stable connection in seconds. There are several protocols, each with its own characteristics depending on your device model and operating system.
In this article we will look at all the current methods image broadcasts to LG TVs. You'll learn about native webOS features, third-party apps, and router setup tips to minimize latency. Choosing the right method will help avoid audio desync and video stream interruptions.
Key Wireless Transmission Technologies on LG Smart TVs
Before you begin setting up, you need to understand which protocols your TV supports. LG actively uses its own platform. webOS, which is based on wireless multimedia transmission standards. The key here is the protocol Miracast, which allows you to duplicate your smartphone screen one to one.
The second popular method is DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance). Unlike Miracast, it doesn't mirror the screen, but rather streams the video file itself to the TV for playback. This frees up your phone's resources, allowing you to use it for other tasks while watching.
The third option is to use proprietary apps from LG, such as LG TV Plus or SmartShareThese programs act as intermediaries, simplifying the search for devices on the network and providing a convenient interface for managing the media library.
Important: For all of the above methods to work, it is critical that both your smartphone and LG TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (same SSID).
Some older models may not support new codecs or encryption standards. If you're having trouble connecting, check your TV's software version in the menu. Settings → All settings → Support → Software update.
Preparing equipment and a Wi-Fi network
The stability of video streaming directly depends on the quality of the wireless connection. The router must be functioning properly, and the distance between it and the TV shouldn't be too great. The ideal scenario is to use the range 5 GHz, which provides higher throughput compared to 2.4 GHz.
Check if your network is overloaded with background downloads. If someone in your household is downloading large files or playing online games, the quality of the streamed video may drop, causing artifacts or buffering.
Also, make sure your TV has discovery enabled. LG's network settings often require you to enable discovery mode. LG Connect Apps or allow connections from mobile devices. Without this, your phone simply won't see the display in the list of available devices.
Method 1: Screen Sharing via Miracast (Screen Share)
This method is the most universal for Android smartphones. Miracast technology is built into the system and does not require installing additional apps on the phone. On LG TVs, this feature is often called Screen Share or "Screencasting".
To start the process, press the enter button on your TV remote or find the launcher tile named in the application menu. Screen ShareThe TV will go into connection standby mode. On your smartphone, open the notification shade and find the "Cast," "Smart View" (Samsung), or "Wireless Monitor" function.
After scanning the network, your phone will offer a list of available devices. Select yours. LG TV from the list. A connection confirmation request may appear on the TV screen, which you'll need to confirm with the remote.
⚠️ Attention: When using Miracast, your phone's screen is mirrored entirely on your TV. This means all notifications, incoming calls, and messages will be visible on the big screen. It's recommended to enable Do Not Disturb mode before watching.
Image lag with this method is minimal, but still present. This is worth considering if you plan to play fast-paced games. This method is ideal for movies and photos.
☑️ Miracast connection checklist
Method 2: Using the LG TV Plus app and DLNA
If you need to transfer a specific video file from the gallery, rather than mirroring the entire screen, it is better to use the DLNA method through the official application. LG TV PlusIt is available for iOS and Android and provides a user-friendly control interface.
Install the app from the store Google Play or App StoreOnce launched, the program will automatically find the TV on your local network. You'll need to enter the code displayed on the TV screen to pair the devices.
In the app interface, go to the "Gallery" or "Photos & Videos" section. Select the desired file and press the "Play" button. The TV will interpret this as a command to play the media file from an external source.
| Parameter | Miracast (Broadcast) | DLNA (LG TV Plus) | Google Cast (YouTube) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission type | Screen mirroring | File transfer | Streaming link |
| Using the phone | Busy (cannot turn off screen) | Free (can be folded) | Free (works as a remote control) |
| Video quality | Depends on Wi-Fi signal | Maximum (decodes TV) | Original (online) |
| Battery consumption | High | Short | Short |
Broadcast from YouTube and online services
The easiest and most energy-efficient way to watch videos on a big screen is to use the built-in Cast feature in source apps. Services like YouTube, Netflix, IVI, and Okko all have a Cast button.
Find the icon in the app on your smartphone broadcasts (a rectangle with waves in the corner). Click it and select your LG TV from the list. The video will start playing directly on the TV using its internet connection.
What should I do if the broadcast button is not active?
The button may be grayed out if the devices are on different Wi-Fi networks. Also, make sure the YouTube app is installed and updated on your TV. In some cases, you may need to log in to the same Google account.
The advantage of this method is that the phone acts only as a remote control. You can pause the video, change the volume, and select the next video without interrupting playback.
In this case, image quality depends not on your router's speed, but on the internet speed connected to the TV. If the router's signal is weak in the TV's area, the video resolution may be automatically reduced.
Solution: My phone doesn't detect my LG TV.
One of the most common problems is when devices are on the same network but fail to detect each other. This is most often due to client isolation settings on the router or the antivirus firewall on the phone.
Try rebooting your router, phone, and TV. Simply refreshing your IP addresses often resolves local network visibility issues. Also, check if "AP Isolation" is enabled on your router.
⚠️ Attention: Antivirus programs on Android (such as Kaspersky or ESET) can block local connections. If you experience problems, try temporarily disabling network protection in your antivirus settings.
If the problem persists, try creating a hotspot on your phone and connecting your TV to it (if your TV model supports connecting to a Wi-Fi hotspot as a client). However, in this case, the TV will not have internet access for online movie streaming.
Optimizing quality and eliminating delays
If the video is streaming but is constantly buffering or choppy, you need to reduce the bandwidth. Try lowering the video resolution in the source app's settings, if possible.
For Android TV Box owners or advanced routers, it's helpful to know that traffic prioritization (QoS) for the TV's MAC address can significantly improve performance. This will force the router to prioritize data packets going to the TV.
Find the settings in the router interface QoS or "Device Priority." Add your LG TV to the priority list. This is especially important in the evenings when neighbors are actively using Wi-Fi.
It's also worth considering that older Wi-Fi standards (802.11n) may not be able to handle heavy 4K content. In this case, the only solution is to switch to a wired LAN connection or upgrade your network equipment.
Is it possible to transfer videos from iPhone to LG without third-party apps?
Yes, modern LG TVs support Apple AirPlay 2 technology. If you have an iPhone and TV model from 2019 or later (webOS 4.5 and above), simply use the standard Screen Mirroring feature in the iOS Control Center. Older models will require an app. LG TV Plus or similar ones like Replica.
Why is there no sound when transmitting video via Miracast?
Often, the sound remains on the phone, but the picture goes to the TV. Check the audio output settings in the Android notification shade or in the Bluetooth/Connections menu. Also, make sure the volume on the TV itself isn't muted and the correct audio source is selected.
Does video streaming affect internet speed?
Using DLNA and Cast (YouTube) doesn't use up your phone's internet connection, as the TV downloads the content automatically. Screen mirroring (Miracast) may not use any internet connection at all if the video is playing from your phone's memory, but the Wi-Fi channel will be busy transmitting the video stream, which can slow down other devices.
How to share a screen if there is no router at all?
Use Wi-Fi Direct if both devices support it. This connects the phone and TV directly, without the need for a router. However, this method often requires manual IP address configuration and is less stable.